Kobe Chinatown
Encyclopedia
Kobe Chinatown is located in Kobe, Japan. One of only 3 designated Chinatowns in Japan
, Nankinmachi is situated south of Motomachi station adjacent to the elegant Daimaru
Department Store. This small, yet lively enclave is home to not only one of the few remaining Chinese communities in the nation, it is also a major tourist attraction. The area is packed with over 100 Chinese restaurants, shops, a Chinese temple
(関帝廟), making it a great place to browse for Asia
n trinkets, CDs, and old vinyl records.
Unlike its counterparts in Yokohama and Nagasaki, Kobe's Nankinmachi sets itself apart as being the most colorful and foreign-looking Chinatown
in all of Japan
.
's port was opened to foreigners, including Chinese immigrants from Canton
, Fukien
, and Samgong (Guangzhou, Fujian, Sanjiang). The newcomers settled in the western end of Kobe
's foreign district, which soon became the focal point for subsequent Chinese migrants. During that time, the Chinese people were referred to as "people from Nanking" by the Japanese
, hence the name "Nankinmachi"(Nanking Town). By the early 1920s, Nankinmachi was a vibrant area bustling with businesses, restaurants, and homes. That all changed, however, during the next two decades when many Chinese returned to China
in response to Japan
's expansion of Northeastern China
, the Second Sino-Japanese War
, and World War II
. Destroyed during the allied bombings of Kobe
, Nankinmachi was re-built after the war by the remaining Chinese community that stayed behind. In 1995, it was severely damaged during the horrific Great Hanshin Earthquake
which killed nearly 6,000 people. It was quickly re-built, and once again thrives as the center of Chinese culture and activity throughout the Kansai region. There are currently 10,000 people residing in Kobe
's Chinatown
.
's cultural landscape was demonstrated in 1985 by the erecting of an archway, Changan Gate(長安門). Subsequent projects include the addition of a pair of lions, granite floors, and other initiatives. Three Archways demarcates Nankinmachi proper; Changan Gate in the east, Xian Gate to the west, and Nanluo Gate from the south. There is no archway at the northern entrance, which is guarded by a pair of lions. A pavilion
with stone carvings of the 12 Chinese zodiac signs mark the intersecting point of the north-south/east-west axis of Nankinmachi. This is a popular resting place for visitors, as well as a favorite spot for taking photographs.
Many establishments such as mahjong
clubs and souvenir shops abound throughout Nankinmachi, but none are as prevalent as food businesses. Along the streets of Nankinmachi are restaurants and stalls that serve both Chinese and Japanese
food.
Most shops also show off their cuisine on display stands for potential customers.
Some examples include dim sum
, dumplings, buns, and Chinese Pastries. During the Lunar Year and the Mid Autumn season, 2 major festivals celebrated by Chinese people worldwide, New Year
delicacies and Moon Cakes appear, creating a festive mood in Nankinmachi. Though not of the caliber and standard of other Chinatowns, Nankinmachi is nonetheless a very charming place with all the typical characteristics of the great Chinatowns of the world.
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, Nankinmachi is situated south of Motomachi station adjacent to the elegant Daimaru
Daimaru
is a Japanese department stores chain, principally located in the Kansai region of Japan. The chain is operated by Daimaru Matsuzakaya Department Stores, a subsidiary of J. Front Retailing...
Department Store. This small, yet lively enclave is home to not only one of the few remaining Chinese communities in the nation, it is also a major tourist attraction. The area is packed with over 100 Chinese restaurants, shops, a Chinese temple
Temple
A temple is a structure reserved for religious or spiritual activities, such as prayer and sacrifice, or analogous rites. A templum constituted a sacred precinct as defined by a priest, or augur. It has the same root as the word "template," a plan in preparation of the building that was marked out...
(関帝廟), making it a great place to browse for Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
n trinkets, CDs, and old vinyl records.
Unlike its counterparts in Yokohama and Nagasaki, Kobe's Nankinmachi sets itself apart as being the most colorful and foreign-looking Chinatown
Chinatown
A Chinatown is an ethnic enclave of overseas Chinese people, although it is often generalized to include various Southeast Asian people. Chinatowns exist throughout the world, including East Asia, Southeast Asia, the Americas, Australasia, and Europe. Binondo's Chinatown located in Manila,...
in all of Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
.
History
Nankinmachi's origins date back to 1868, when KobeKobe
, pronounced , is the fifth-largest city in Japan and is the capital city of Hyōgo Prefecture on the southern side of the main island of Honshū, approximately west of Osaka...
's port was opened to foreigners, including Chinese immigrants from Canton
Guangzhou
Guangzhou , known historically as Canton or Kwangchow, is the capital and largest city of the Guangdong province in the People's Republic of China. Located in southern China on the Pearl River, about north-northwest of Hong Kong, Guangzhou is a key national transportation hub and trading port...
, Fukien
Fujian
' , formerly romanised as Fukien or Huguing or Foukien, is a province on the southeast coast of mainland China. Fujian is bordered by Zhejiang to the north, Jiangxi to the west, and Guangdong to the south. Taiwan lies to the east, across the Taiwan Strait...
, and Samgong (Guangzhou, Fujian, Sanjiang). The newcomers settled in the western end of Kobe
Kobe
, pronounced , is the fifth-largest city in Japan and is the capital city of Hyōgo Prefecture on the southern side of the main island of Honshū, approximately west of Osaka...
's foreign district, which soon became the focal point for subsequent Chinese migrants. During that time, the Chinese people were referred to as "people from Nanking" by the Japanese
Japanese people
The are an ethnic group originating in the Japanese archipelago and are the predominant ethnic group of Japan. Worldwide, approximately 130 million people are of Japanese descent; of these, approximately 127 million are residents of Japan. People of Japanese ancestry who live in other countries...
, hence the name "Nankinmachi"(Nanking Town). By the early 1920s, Nankinmachi was a vibrant area bustling with businesses, restaurants, and homes. That all changed, however, during the next two decades when many Chinese returned to China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
in response to Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
's expansion of Northeastern China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, the Second Sino-Japanese War
Second Sino-Japanese War
The Second Sino-Japanese War was a military conflict fought primarily between the Republic of China and the Empire of Japan. From 1937 to 1941, China fought Japan with some economic help from Germany , the Soviet Union and the United States...
, and World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Destroyed during the allied bombings of Kobe
Kobe
, pronounced , is the fifth-largest city in Japan and is the capital city of Hyōgo Prefecture on the southern side of the main island of Honshū, approximately west of Osaka...
, Nankinmachi was re-built after the war by the remaining Chinese community that stayed behind. In 1995, it was severely damaged during the horrific Great Hanshin Earthquake
Great Hanshin earthquake
The Great Hanshin earthquake, or Kobe earthquake, was an earthquake that occurred on Tuesday, January 17, 1995, at 05:46 JST in the southern part of Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan. It measured 6.8 on the moment magnitude scale , and Mj7.3 on JMA magnitude scale. The tremors lasted for approximately 20...
which killed nearly 6,000 people. It was quickly re-built, and once again thrives as the center of Chinese culture and activity throughout the Kansai region. There are currently 10,000 people residing in Kobe
Kobe
, pronounced , is the fifth-largest city in Japan and is the capital city of Hyōgo Prefecture on the southern side of the main island of Honshū, approximately west of Osaka...
's Chinatown
Chinatown
A Chinatown is an ethnic enclave of overseas Chinese people, although it is often generalized to include various Southeast Asian people. Chinatowns exist throughout the world, including East Asia, Southeast Asia, the Americas, Australasia, and Europe. Binondo's Chinatown located in Manila,...
.
Characteristics
Like other Chinatowns throughout the world, Nankinmachi is not only an area for the Chinese community, but also a tourist attraction. The important role it plays in KobeKobe
, pronounced , is the fifth-largest city in Japan and is the capital city of Hyōgo Prefecture on the southern side of the main island of Honshū, approximately west of Osaka...
's cultural landscape was demonstrated in 1985 by the erecting of an archway, Changan Gate(長安門). Subsequent projects include the addition of a pair of lions, granite floors, and other initiatives. Three Archways demarcates Nankinmachi proper; Changan Gate in the east, Xian Gate to the west, and Nanluo Gate from the south. There is no archway at the northern entrance, which is guarded by a pair of lions. A pavilion
Pavilion
In architecture a pavilion has two main meanings.-Free-standing structure:Pavilion may refer to a free-standing structure sited a short distance from a main residence, whose architecture makes it an object of pleasure. Large or small, there is usually a connection with relaxation and pleasure in...
with stone carvings of the 12 Chinese zodiac signs mark the intersecting point of the north-south/east-west axis of Nankinmachi. This is a popular resting place for visitors, as well as a favorite spot for taking photographs.
Culture
Mahjong
Mahjong, sometimes spelled Mah Jongg, is a game that originated in China, commonly played by four players...
clubs and souvenir shops abound throughout Nankinmachi, but none are as prevalent as food businesses. Along the streets of Nankinmachi are restaurants and stalls that serve both Chinese and Japanese
Japanese cuisine
Japanese cuisine has developed over the centuries as a result of many political and social changes throughout Japan. The cuisine eventually changed with the advent of the Medieval age which ushered in a shedding of elitism with the age of shogun rule...
food.
Most shops also show off their cuisine on display stands for potential customers.
Some examples include dim sum
Dim sum
Dim sum refers to a style of Chinese food prepared as small bite-sized or individual portions of food traditionally served in small steamer baskets or on small plates...
, dumplings, buns, and Chinese Pastries. During the Lunar Year and the Mid Autumn season, 2 major festivals celebrated by Chinese people worldwide, New Year
New Year
The New Year is the day that marks the time of the beginning of a new calendar year, and is the day on which the year count of the specific calendar used is incremented. For many cultures, the event is celebrated in some manner....
delicacies and Moon Cakes appear, creating a festive mood in Nankinmachi. Though not of the caliber and standard of other Chinatowns, Nankinmachi is nonetheless a very charming place with all the typical characteristics of the great Chinatowns of the world.
Train
- JR Kobe LineJR Kobe LineThe is the nickname of portions of the Tōkaidō Main Line and the Sanyō Main Line, between Osaka Station in Osaka, Osaka Prefecture and Himeji Station in Himeji, Hyōgo Prefecture...
, Motomachi StationMotomachi Station (Hyogo)is a railway station in Motomachi, Chūō-ku, Kobe, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan.It is one of the main stations serving the central business district of Kobe...
(3min from Sannomiya StationSannomiya Stationis located in the heart of Kobe, Japan. This station is the main railway terminal of Kobe.- Lines :*Hanshin Electric Railway *Hankyu Railway *Kobe Municipal Subway...
,25min from Osaka StationOsaka Stationis a station on the West Japan Railway Company located in the Umeda district in Kita-ku, Osaka, Japan. It is the city's main rail terminal in the north....
) - Hanshin Main Line, Motomachi StationMotomachi Station (Hyogo)is a railway station in Motomachi, Chūō-ku, Kobe, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan.It is one of the main stations serving the central business district of Kobe...
(3min from Sannomiya StationSannomiya Stationis located in the heart of Kobe, Japan. This station is the main railway terminal of Kobe.- Lines :*Hanshin Electric Railway *Hankyu Railway *Kobe Municipal Subway...
,30min from Umeda StationUmeda Stationis a railway station located in Kita-ku in the northern commercial center of Osaka, Japan. It is the busiest station in Western Japan, serving 2,343,727 passengers daily in 2005.Umeda Station is served by the following railways:...
)
Highway
- Hanshin ExpresswayHanshin ExpresswayThe is a network of expressways surrounding Osaka, Kobe and Kyoto, Japan. Operated by , it opened in 1962.Portions of the Hanshin Expressway collapsed during the Kobe earthquake on January 17, 1995. These sections were rebuilt by 1996...
3 Kobe Route, Kyobashi Exit - Hanshin ExpresswayHanshin ExpresswayThe is a network of expressways surrounding Osaka, Kobe and Kyoto, Japan. Operated by , it opened in 1962.Portions of the Hanshin Expressway collapsed during the Kobe earthquake on January 17, 1995. These sections were rebuilt by 1996...
5 Wangan Route, Rokko IslandRokko Islandis the second major artificial island in Higashinada-ku, Kobe, Japan located in the southeast region at Port of Kobe. The island was constructed from reclaimed land between 1973 and 1992. It has a 3.4 km by 2 km rectangular shape, and covers 5.80 km². The island was one of the hardest hit areas in...
Exit
See also
- Chinatowns in AsiaChinatowns in AsiaChinatowns in Asia are widespread with a large concentration of overseas Chinese in East Asia and Southeast Asia and ethnic Chinese whose ancestors came from southern China - particularly the provinces of Guangdong, Fujian, and Hainan - and settled in countries such as Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia,...
- Yokohama ChinatownYokohama ChinatownYokohama Chinatown is located in Yokohama, Japan, which is located just south of Tokyo. Its history is about 150 years long...
- Nagasaki ChinatownNagasaki ChinatownNagasaki Chinatown is located in Nagasaki, Japan. This area today is a big shopping strip that covers many blocks.-History:...
- Yokohama Chinatown
- Chinese in Japan
- ChinaChinaChinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
- Motomachi (Hyogo)Motomachi (Hyogo)is a district of Chūō Ward in Kobe, Japan. It is located between Mount Rokko and the port of Kobe.It is located adjacent to Nankinmachi and Kyū-kyoryūchi...